Note to self - night trains are better than night buses, but still not all that great. My train car had 2 sets of bunks and nothing else. The bunks were so low that you couldn't sit up, so your only choices were to lie down (for the entire trip) or go to the dinning car. But what to do with your luggage? Leave it and risk it not being there when you return, or lug it with you to the dinning car through aisles that are not wide enough for you to wear the pack which means you are carrying it in front of you. I stayed in the bunk and attempted to read. My neck is a little cramped now.
My hostel said they were on the beach and they are! After finding the hostel and dropping the pack off, it was off to see the city. I strolled through the central square and main street, and sat in the sun at Placa de Catalunya. Evidently this is also where many of the homeless come for sunshine as I saw several throughout the square. Then I strolled through the neighborhoods to the cathedral. The rest of the afternoon was spent sitting on the beach watching the sun go down and trying to avoid the people walking the beach selling sarongs and the Asian women selling massages. I think they were foot and lower leg massages, but I wasn't going to find out. Besides, I think I am beginning to rival Kitty in the leg hair department. :) But I wear pants everyday and the hostel showers are not very conducive to shaving your legs. There are times I fight just to get the shampoo out of my hair, let alone try to shave. Kitty, you would be proud!
The next day was a packed one. Seeing as it was the first Sunday of the month, many of the city's sites were free, which also means they will be crowded. I started with Sangrada Familia (Holy Family Church), which turned out to be my favorite church I have seen. It was mostly built and designed by Antonio Gaudi; this church was different than most of the others I have seen. Most churches are dark and cold and many smell dusty. The Sangrada Familia was bright and warm, very light and modern in design. This is, in part, due to Gaudi's plan for the church. He wanted to incorporate light into the building, in many different ways. And the church isn't even completed yet. Gaudi started it in 1883. The construction continues and is expected to continue for another 25 years. Just amazing! I want to come back when it's finished to see the completed vision.
The afternoon was spent at the Picasso Museum, fighting the long line to get in and the crowds inside. The museum took a chronological look at Picasso and his work. I found I liked Picasso's earlier works, mostly portraits done when he was 13, better than his later work. I guess I am just not one for abstract art.
So, with that, I said Adios to Spain (at least for now), and traveled back to France where another language switch awaited.
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